We are excited to be in Lusaka next week from 27 to 30 November to attend the 3rd International Public Health Conference In Africa (CPHIA). Our delegation will be participating virtually, and on the ground to connect, discuss and advocate for stronger and more innovative health systems solutions.

Virtually and in advance of the Conference on 22 November, Living Goods, Pathfinder International, Muso, and Village Reach will bring key players together to host an Official CPHIA side event “Gender Equity for a Stronger Health Workforce.”. Addressing inequities that undermine health systems and global health security is critical to ensuring that countries fulfill their UHC and Sustainable Development commitments. Women make up 70% of health workers globally but hold only 25% of decision-making roles in environments that are often challenging and under-resourced. A key priority is investment in the public health workforce, a pillar of the Africa CDC’s New Public Health Order and a requirement for UHC.

Panelists will look at Innovative financing; training and supporting health workforce teams including community health workers; and supporting policies that address gender inequality in the health workforce and in the design of programs and services. Speaking from Living Goods will be Christine Namayanja our Uganda Country Director. To attend the event please sign up here.

On the ground, our delegation will be comprised of Jules Souleymane Gaye, our Country Director in Burkina Faso; Edward Zzimbe the Global Director of Program Strategy and Excellence; Evelyne Wekesa the Senior Manager of Digital Operations, and Prossy Muyingo an advocate and passionate community health worker.

In addition to our virtual event, Jules Souleymane Gaye and Prossy Muyingo will be speaking during Track 1B: Impact of innovative financing approaches that leverage pandemic preparedness funding as a lever to strengthen health systems. The session will take place on Wednesday, November 29 at 1:30 pm CAT in Room 1, Old Wing We hope to see you there!

Meet our CPHIA 2023 delegation and visit our website to learn more about Living Goods’ strategy and activities.

Mr Jules Souleymane Gaye– Burkina Faso Country Lead

Jules Souleymane Gaye is the Burkina Faso Country Director for the International NGO, Living Goods. A passionate advocate for social change, Jules joined Living Goods in May 2023, with more than 15 years of experience in community development in West Africa. Born in Senegal and speaking both English and French, his commitment to sustainable social progress and community engagement have quickly made him a recognized leader in the country and Sahel in particular.

Jules has extensive expertise in designing, developing and leading community development projects, alongside experience in leadership, stakeholder management, program development and operations, and has worked in partnership with critical bilateral donors such as the EU, USAID, USDA and AFD. Previous to Living Goods he worked for NITIDAE Burkina Faso where he spent 8 years contributing to significant operational country growth. At Living Goods, he will continue to drive country action towards universal health coverage through community-based approaches to primary health care such as under the BIRCH Project and seek to strengthen Burkina Faso’s health system along key partners. Jules holds a Master II Degree in Accounting and Financial Management from the International School of Engineering (Boston MA, USA).

Edward Zzimbe– Global Director, Program Strategy and Excellence

Edward Zzimbe is a private sector and health markets expert with local and international programs experience. He is currently the Deputy Country Director and Director of Programs Delivery for Living Goods in Uganda. He has successfully designed and managed several large and innovative donor-funded programs for DFID, USAID, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, UNFPA, UNDP, the World Bank, and the German Development Bank (KfW). He has an exceptional track record in delivering results and has previously served as the Technical Director & deputy to the team leader for DFID Kenya’s flagship family planning. He is an expert in external relations including working with governments, New business development, and public relations, and has represented Africa at the House of Commons (UK) and European Parliament (Brussels).  

Evelyne Wekesa– Senior Manager, Technology Operations

Evelyne Wekesa joined Living Goods on 1^st February 2021 as a Senior Manager, Technology Operations. She is responsible for establishing, planning, and administering the overall policies and goals for the IT department in Kenya as well as overseeing all technology projects, and operations and manage the country’s IT department. Evelyne Wekesa joins us from Five Forty Aviation Ltd (FLY540) & East African Safaris Air Express Ltd where she held the role of an ICT Manager for over 10 years. She was responsible for System and Network Administration, Network Security, Data Security, General ICT Technical Support and ICT Project Management for both companies. She brings on board a wealth of experience in Hardware and Software Engineering, Review of Security Policy and Controls, Project Management, Budgeting and Technology Analysis. She likes jogging, travelling, and passionate about improvement of WASH facilities in the rural areas.

Ms Prossy Muyingo– Community Health Worker

Prossy Muyingo is a community health advocate and community health worker supported by Living Goods in Mityana district, central Uganda. Since 2019, Prossy has been providing reproductive, maternal, and child health services to 120 households. From the onset of the pandemic, she has been playing a key role of providing reliable information about COVID-19 to her community. When she is not busy providing health services, Prossy is a hairdresser. She offers these services from her home, to supplement her family income. Prossy also sees her braiding sessions as an opportunity to educate her clients about reproductive health, vaccination, and disease prevention.

If you can’t be there in person, please join sessions virtually, and/or follow us on social media.

You can follow us at:

• X- formerly Twitter: @Living_Goods
• Instagram: @living.goods
• Website: livinggoods.org           
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/living-goods/